Burst Pipe: How to Find and Turn Off Your Water Shutoff
Most flooding is made worse by the minutes spent hunting for a valve. Find yours now.
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The short answer
Turn off the main shutoff valve at the house, usually where the water line enters near the front foundation, in the garage or by the water heater. Turn a wheel handle clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever handle a quarter turn so it sits crosswise to the pipe. Then open a faucet at the lowest point in the house to drain what is left.
If you cannot find the house valve or it will not turn, the next option is the meter box at the street, which has a shutoff of its own. This page explains each type so you are not learning it in the middle of a flood.
The valves you may find
There are three common types, and each turns differently.
| Valve type | How to recognize it | How to close it |
|---|---|---|
| Ball valve | A lever handle, straight along the pipe when open | Turn a quarter turn so the lever is crosswise |
| Gate valve | A round wheel handle, common in older homes | Turn clockwise until snug, and do not force it |
| Meter box shutoff | A small valve beside the meter in an in-ground box | Use a meter key or a wrench, and turn it a quarter turn |
| Fixture stop valves | Small valves under sinks and behind toilets | Turn clockwise to isolate one fixture |
Find yours before you need it
Take five minutes this weekend. Walk the outside of the house near the front, check the garage wall nearest the street and look near the water heater. Open the meter box lid carefully, since insects and debris collect under it. Close the valve fully, check that the water stops at a tap, then open it again.
Label the valve with a tag. Show everyone in the household where it is. If the valve is stuck or leaks around the stem, have a plumber replace it, since a valve that fails in an emergency is the worst kind of surprise. See burst pipe repair for what happens once the water is off.
After the water is off
- Open the lowest faucet to drain the pipes and relieve pressure
- Switch off the water heater at its breaker or gas control, so the elements do not run dry
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the wet area
- Photograph and video the source, the water and the damage
- Soak up standing water and open windows or run fans to start drying
- Call a plumber, then your insurer
Why drying quickly matters
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. That does not leave much time. Shut off the water first, remove what you can and get air moving. If walls or floors were soaked, see water damage restoration for the drying that follows.
If the valve will not turn
Do not force a stuck gate valve, since it can snap and turn a leak into a flood. Try turning it slightly the other way first, then gently back toward closed. If it still will not move, go to the meter box shutoff.
Some meter boxes require a special key, and some water utilities ask that customers use only the house valve. Check with your water provider about its rules for the meter shutoff before you need it.
Shutting off one fixture instead of the house
A leak at a toilet, a sink or the washing machine does not always call for shutting off the whole house. The small stop valves under sinks and behind toilets, and the two valves at the washing machine, isolate one fixture. Closing them takes seconds and keeps water on for the rest of the house.
Test them once a year. Valves that have not been turned in years can seize or drip, and a valve that fails is a reason to replace it before an emergency. If a stop valve will not close, go straight to the house main.
Cold nights in a mild climate
Freezing is uncommon in the Sacramento area, but it happens. On a night forecast to drop below freezing, cover exposed hose bibs and outdoor pipes, and open a cabinet door under sinks on exterior walls. Pipes in an attic, a garage or a crawlspace are the ones at risk.
A split pipe from freezing may not leak until it thaws, so a sudden flood the next morning can mean a burst from the night before.
Use the meter to confirm the water is off
After the main is closed, look at the water meter. If the dial or the low-flow indicator is still moving, water is still getting past the valve, or the leak is on the street side. Our guide to reading your water meter shows what to look for.
A meter that has stopped tells you the shutoff worked and the leak is on your side of it. That is the information a plumber wants first.
Teach everyone in the house
A shutoff only helps if the person standing in the flooded kitchen knows where it is. Show teenagers, houseguests and anyone who stays alone in the home. Keep a wrench for the meter box nearby if your utility allows its use, and put the plumber's number on the fridge or in your phone under a name you will remember at 3 a.m.
Renters should ask the landlord where the shutoff is when they move in, and note it in writing. If the valve is in a locked utility room, ask for access before there is an emergency.
Questions about this topic
A wheel handle turns clockwise to close. A lever handle closes with a quarter turn so it sits crosswise to the pipe.
Near where the water line enters the house: by the front foundation, in a garage wall or beside the water heater. Some homes only have the meter box valve.
Only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water and the water is near outlets or appliances. If in doubt, stay out and call a professional.
The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Call a plumber for the repair. Then call your insurer or landlord and share your photos.
Related guides
How to Read Your Water Meter to Find a Hidden Leak
Your meter is a free leak detector. This is how to use it in about two hours.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing Leaks in California?
Sudden leaks are often covered for the damage they cause. Slow leaks and worn pipes usually are not.
Slab Leak Warning Signs: 7 Signs and How to Test Them
Each sign has a test you can do in a few minutes, and the results tell a plumber where to start.
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